Shoe of the Season: The Hiking Boot

As one of the brands that has truly committed itself to the trend, Prada has a lot to offer anyone looking for a pair of tough boots. Chances are, however, you’re not actually going to hike in yours, so this red velvet stunner is the perfect choice. The ridged platform heel and D-ring eyelets give it a lot of rugged flair, but the smooth velvet is more city slicker than mountaineer. 

Prada Linea Rossa Velvet Lace-Up Combat Boot, $750; neimanmarcus.com.

We love the sleek, elegant shape of this boot from Brunello Cucinelli, who this season delivers a collection themed around urban exploration. A proprietary combination of oils give the Italian calfskin a texture almost like suede, and the molded polyurethane tread on the sole ensures water never seeps in—making this the ideal all-season, all-weather shoe.

Brunello Cucinelli Oiled calfskin "Mountain" walking boot, $1,275; brunellocucinelli.com.

There’s so much that makes this made-to-order, limited-edition boot covetable: the gorgeous patina and the luxurious crocodile skin will make any outfit. But the best thing about it? It’s surprisingly lightweight.

Doucal’s Trekking-Style Crocodile Boot, from $1,820; to order, contact the Doucal's Italian office at clienti_italia@doucals.com.

The gold stud details on these white leather booties add a bit of glamour, and the criss-cross laces, rubber sole, and shearling lining mean this will still match all your perfectly coordinated mountain chalet outfits.

Jimmy Choo Drake Flat, $1,350; jimmychoo.com.

A little bit of leather, some suede, a touch of denim, and just enough bright red plaid equals a patchwork of textile that demands attention. 

DSquared2 Mountain Boot, $775; farfetch.com.

The combination of rugged camo-print canvas and buttery soft leather trimming in a variety of colors makes this Valentino boot the epitome of tough-luxe. 

Valentino Garavani ID Camo Canvas Hiking Boot, $695; bergdorfgoodman.com.

For the purists, Gucci’s all-black boot is punched up with a bee embroidered on the tongue, which is swathed in the brand’s iconic red and green.

Gucci Leather Boot with Lug Sole, $980; gucci.com.

In her take on the hiking boot trend, Tabitha Simmons combines two classics: the look-at-me sass of leopard print with sharp brogue detailing. 

Tabitha Simmons Bexley Lace Up Boot, $795; thewebster.us.

It’s all in the details: from the futuristic aluminum silver to the patent padded ankle collar to the marled rubber platform sole, Acne’s ankle boot is the kind of shoe that deserves a second, third, and even a fourth look.

Acne Studios Tinne Booties, $620; acnestudios.com.

Cool-girl designer Isabel Marant transforms her popular sneaker silhouette with a more outdoorsy bent by adding a sculpted rubber sole and bright contrasting laces. 

Isabel Marant Brendty High Top Lace Up Sneaker, $595; isabelmarant.com.